Campaigners say meadow land is under threat

Bristol City Council has voted to gather more information regarding the site at Purdown near Lockleaze before any action is taken.

The move comes after the site was recommended to the council as the preferred option for three sports pitches for the new Fairfield School.

At a council meeting on Wednesday, councillors rejected this and said the Department of Environment, Transport and Leisure would now give consideration to other sites.

'Great news'

Rory Galvin, a Friends of Purdown spokesman, said: "This is great news for the community and for the school.

"As well as our environmental, historical and access-based objections, our main concern is that the school wouldn't receive the playing fields it deserves if the recommendation for Purdown was accepted."

Almost 2,000 people have petitioned the council to consider a range of alternative sites.

Purdown is close to St Thomas More's School, which is moving, and being replaced by a rebuilt Fairfield School.

The new school will take in more than 1,000 pupils - double the current St Thomas More's capacity - and so new off-site playing fields have to be found.